The Wings Clipped by Lynx in OT 98-97

The Dallas Wings (9-14) fans haven’t had much to cheer about this year, but Sunday night’s game against the high-flying Minnesota Lynx (19-4) stands out as a big exception. After playing some of its best ball of the season, the Wings were able to force the game into overtime, only to lose 98-97 on a basket in the last 15 seconds by Lynx’s G Seimone Augustus.

After an evening evening that felt like a roller-coaster ride, Aerial Powers missed a last second shot to send the home crowd away feeling disappointed and exhausted. With that said, its hard to blame a talented Wings team that fought back from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter against the second best defense in the league.

The Wings entered the 3rd quarter trailing by 13, only to slip to a 15-point deficit early in the 4th. Good defense and some great 3 point shooting set the team on a 25-10 run, tying the game with 2:05 left in regulation. It was a 3-point basket by F Plenette Pierson that finally tied the game and sent College Park Center into total hysteria.

Skylar Diggins drives to the basket, Photo Credit: Jason Waite

With the score sitting at 89-86 with time running out in regulation, Wings G Odyssey Sims was fouled on a shot from behind the arc. Cool as a cucumber, Sims stepped to the line and sank all 3 free throws to send the game into OT.

After a bit of back and forth during the extra period, Pierson and F Karima Christmas hit back-to-back 3-pointers, moving the Wings out to a 3-point lead (97-94) with just over a minute twenty remaining on the clock. Unfortunately, the Wings were unable to score again, putting the Lynx in position to win the game on Augustus’ game-winning shot.

While the loss is certainly a bitter pill to swallow, there are a couple of positives the Wings can take away from the loss. First, they hit 10-26 from behind the arc and 45.3% from the field overall. Secondly, the team showed great fortitude to come back from such a large deficit after being out-rebounded 51-34.

Pierson and Christmas led the Wings in scoring with 21 and points, respectively. G Skylar Diggins added 18 points and led the team in assists with 9. F Maya Moore led the Lynx in scoring with 20 points while top center Sylvia Fowles added 14 with 19 rebounds to lead both teams.

About the author

Malcom Chakery is founder and editor for DFW MAG and enjoys covering stories , events, and news from Big D to Cowtown. Follow Malcom on twitter @chakery. Have a great story idea? Please email it to editor@dfwmag.com.